Morgan's Chic Boutique Birthday

Yesterday was my friend Morgan's birthday, the big 3-0.  She's joining me in the thirties!  Woo hoo! 

I bought Morgan this really cool vintage looking neclace with these awesome charms on it, a bird cage, an angel wing, and some flowers.  Of course I forgot to take a picture of the necklace, but it was super cute. 

I did however remember to take some pictures of the card and mini gift bag I made her.  Keeping with the bird and flower theme, I used the Chic Boutique and Growing Green stamp sets.  I even did some watercolouring, a technique I love!

When I made the mini gift bag I used just a portion of the stamp with the bird in the cage by punching it out.  That little birdie is so sweet...

Oh, can't for get the Bring on the Cake stamp set.  A must purchase in my opinion.  SOOOO many awesome birthday sentiments. 

Today is the absolute last day of Sale-a-bration.  If there are things on your wish list from the Sale-a-bration catalogue then you'll want to place your $60 order TODAY so you don't miss out. 

Happy Stampin'
Allison

LAST CHANCE TO SHOP DURING SALE-A-BRATION

March Scrapbook Club - Layaout #1

This past weekend the Scrapbook Club was here to do their March layouts.  My obsession with the Sew Suite products and fabric carried over to their projects as well!  I will admit that I agonized over these layouts for some reason.  I wanted it to be simple to really show off the fabric and DSP, but I didn't want it to be plain and boring...hopefully this ended up to be something in between.  We did some embossing on fabric...

Love the texture this adds!  Of course I had to use some of those pretty Big Buttons from the Occasions Mini Catalogue. 

These buttons are the perfect size for scrapbooking!  Nice and big so they don't get lost on the page. 

Oh, and of course I used my trusted friend, the BIG SHOT, to die cut my title...

So my friend and downline Morgan is turning the BIG 3-0 today!  Yuppers, thirty!  Happy Birthday Morgan!  She was evil to me when I turned 29 (and I was smart enough to leave town when I turned 30), but I don't have anything nasty planned for her.  We're going out for dinner with some other girlfriends, so I'm really excited.  I did some stamping for her gift, so I'll be back to show you that tomorrow! 

Happy Stampin'
Allison

SHOP SHOP SHOP

March Stamp Club

Click picture to enlarge

Another fabulous month of Stamp Club!  I had a great time as always chatting and creating with the ladies.  And this month was ALL about fabric and ALL about the Sew Suite line of products from the Occasions Mini Catalogue, so I was in heaven!  For our technique page we did embossing on fabric.  I really like how this adds just a little more dimension.  Super pretty. 

Then we made a pretty simple card with the Fun Flowers Die, some fabric, and some spray starch (yes, that stuff for your clothes).

We cut out the flowers, sprayed them with starch, and then crumpled them into a ball.  After they were dry we just layered them together, added a Big Button with some 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, and voila!

Our next card had this fun little fabric yoyo on it...so cute!  We just cut a circle of fabric with the BIG SHOT and Circles #2 die and got stitching.  I saw how to make these at Leadership, but there's a nice step by step guide here. 

I'm off to bed, another early day at work tomorrow.  Thanks so much for stopping by, I'll be back tomorrow with one of the Scrapbooker's Club double layouts.  Until then...

Happy Stampin'

Allison

Shop online for all things Stampin' Up! here...

Build-a-Bear Class Bonus Project

I had such a fabulous time on Sunday!  I had the Kid's Build-a-Bear Class in the morning, and then Stamp Club in the afternoon.  I got to spend a full day creating and having fun!  This truly is the best job EVER! 

The Build-a-Bear Class was a real treat for me.  There were a bunch of darling little girls here to create the Magnetic Dress-Up Tin and they also did this doorknob hanger as their bonus project.  The girls were so sweet and lovely, real gems.  I hope they had as much fun as I did! 

The girls got to pick out their favourite colours and patterns to make the clothes to dress their bear.  And then we did some more die cutting to add their names.  The BIG SHOT got a good work out today!

These pictures are of my sample I did so the girls had a starting off point, but I wish I had taken pictures of their creations!  What a talented group of little ladies!  The buttons and stamps and glitter paper were flying! 

I can't wait for the Easter Class!  Date and project to be determined, but if you live in Calgary (or close enough) and you're interested in attending with your child, please contact me so I can put you on the list for when the official invitation goes out.

I'll be back tomorrow with the projects from March Stamp Club.  'See' you then!

Happy Stampin'
Allison

Shop til you drop HERE.  Only 4 days left of Sale-a-bration!

2 more ribbon shares

I've had some email requests this week for some specific ribbon shares, so here's two more if you'd like to take part.  The info on the 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon share is HERE.

5/8" Satin Ribbon Share
$37 for pick up at my home in SE Calgary
$40 for shipping anywhere in Canada

In this share you will receive 3 yards each of 13 colours for a total of 39 yards of ribbon! 

1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon Share
$21 for pick up at my home in SE Calgary
$24 for shipping anywhere in Canada

In this share you will receive 3 yards each of 13 colours for a total of 39 yards of ribbon

Both styles of ribbon come in the following colours:
Whisper White
Very Vanilla
Daffodil Delight
Pumpkin Pie
Pretty in Pink
Real Red
Rich Razzleberry
Night of Navy
Marina Mist
Certainly Celery
Old Olive
Early Espresso
Basic Black

Now let's look at some cards with these styles...

For this one I used the Satin Ribbon to make this ribbon flower.  All you need is the Satin Ribbon, your heat tool, some scissors, and a very strong adhesive.  Super easy, but so so beautiful.  I'll point you in the right direction if you need instructions.

I like how the 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbons adds just a little something special to this card.  I think that ribbon always takes a card to 'the next level'.  From just paper, to something truly hand crafted.  I love my ribbon....

So if you'd like to sign up for any of these shares, please contact me as soon as possible, as I will be ordering on Sunday. 

Have a great Saturday!
Happy Stampin'
Allison

What a treat!

I have a new demonstrator friend, Christine from Ontario, and look at the beautiful card I just got in the mail from her!  Isn't she so talented?!?!  (Well, actually her upline Katrina made this card and Christine passed it on to me, how sweet!)  I think this is just stunning!  Thanks Christine!!!

I LOVE the flower she made with the BIG SHOT.  It's the Dasies #2 Die on pg. 207.  So pretty!  I don't have this one, but I think it may have just elbowed it's way to the top of my wish list!  Thanks so much for the card Christine!  I LOVE IT!

Happy Stampin'
Allison

Shop for Stampin' Up! supplies HERE!

My Digital Studio Scrapbook FINISHED!!!!

I am SO excited! I've finished my first scrapbook using My Digital Studio and sent it to the printers! It was SO fun to create, and now I am anxiously awaiting its delivery. Check it out!!!

There's just over a week of Sale-a-bration left, so be sure to order your My Digital Studio Software before the end of the month so you can get the Sale-a-bration rewards for your purchase.  Oh, unless you don't like FREE stuff! What to see what those free goodies are, click to open the catalogue:

I highly recommend the So Much to Sale-a-Brate Digital CD.  It has ALL the Sale-a-bration exclusive items on it!  This is the highest value item offered for sure!

If you have any questions about the program, or would like to come over and check out mine before you commit to ordering, feel free to contact me so we can chat or get together.  I look forward to hearing from you! 

I hope you liked my Convention book. I'm so completely in love with it!


Happy Stampin' (digitally!)
Allison


Shop for MY DIGITAL STUDIO here!

1/8" Taffeta Ribbon Share & a card

It's that time again...NEW Ribbon Share!  I know I say this all the time, but this next ribbon we'll be 'sharing' together is super cute!  Drumroll....

1/8" Taffeta Ribbon Share

$25 (for pick up in SE Calgary at my house)

$28 (for shipping anywhere in Canada)

With this share you will get 2 yards of each of the following 13 colours, for a total of 26 yards of ribbon! 

Whisper White

Very Vanilla

Daffodil Delight

Pumpkin Pie

Pretty in Pink

Real Red

Rich Razzleberry

Night of Navy

Marina Mist

Certainly Celery

Old Olive

Early Espresso

Basic Black

If you wanted to buy all of these colours of ribbon it would cost you over $125!!!  Ouch!  That's why I like shares.  Share the ribbon, but most importantly...share the cost!  I sign up for all the shares too.  It's the best way to buy ribbon for sure!

So check it out on this card:

I told you it's cute!  It looks so adorable threaded through this big button! 

So if you've fallen in love with this ribbon and want to join the share, be sure to contact me to sign up and arrange payment.  I'll order the first round as soon as we have 5 people, so contact me quickly if you want your ribbon first! 

Happy Stampin'
Allison

Shop for all other fabulous Stampin' Up! supplies here!

Sew Suite Card

Isn't this card adorable?!?!!  I sure think so!  This little beauty was waiting for me in my mailbox last week from Margo, thanks so much!  She's certainly a woman after my own heart, cause I am SO in love with the Sew Suite products from the Occasions Mini Catalogue.  And yes, I'm over ordering and hoarding the excess.  Don't judge me!  I can't risk the stash running dry of this paper or the pompom trim!  That would be dire...

You know, I really love receiving cards.  Which reminds me that I should send cards to my friends more often.  New goal for the rest of this year, send at least one handmade card each week to a friend for no reason.  I send lots of cards already for lots of different reasons, but there is something so special about a card that's sole purpose is just to brighten someone's day.  I'm going to send more of those kind of cards.  Alright, enough blabbering, let's look at what Margo used to make this beautiful card...

Stampin' Up! Products Used:
Stamps:  Sew Suite, You're a Gem
Cardstock:  Melon Mambo, Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
Designer Paper:  Sweet Stitches
Ribbon:  Tangerine Tango Pompom Trim

That's all for today.  Details on the latest ribbon share to come tomorrow. 

Happy Stampin'
Allison

SHOP SHOP SHOP

Easter Blossoms Take 2

This weekend I purchased the Easter Blossoms stamp brush set for My Digital Studio, so I've been having some fun playing with the images.  The little girl on this card is from this set, and because I bought it digitally and printed on cardstock, I was able to shrink the image to fit the Decorative Label Punch.  Super cool! 

I also used a new favourite set of mine that finally got inky, Style Beautiful.  I really like the selection of flourishes in this set, there are SO many possibilities! 

Stampin' Up! Products Used:
Stamps:  Style Beautiful, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Easter Blossoms
Cardstock:  Blushing Bride, Whisper White, Basic Black
Punches:  Word Window, Modern Label, Decorative Label
Ribbon:  Basic Black Satin

Happy Stampin'
Allison

Shop HERE (only 11 sleeps until Sale-a-bration is over)

Easter Blossoms

Can you believe Easter is just around the corner?  Valentines Day seems like it was last week, and Christmas only a week or so before that.  Where does the time go??? 

I have been wanting this Easter Blossoms stamp set from the Occasions Mini Catalogue since it came out, but it seems that I always forget to add it to my order!  Today I saw some card samples online made with this set and I didn't want to have to wait for it to be delivered, so I bought the digital version instead!  I just printed the images onto Whisper White cardstock and then coloured in the blossoms and leaves.  So simple!

I do have a bit of sad news though, that beautiful seam binding ribbon isn't in the new Summer Mini Catalogue!  Gasp!  Maybe Stampin' Up! will put it on the carryover list and still let us all order it after the end of April, but I guess we won't know until then.  I'm not risking it!  I'm stocking up!

Stampin' Up! Products Used:
Stamps:  Easter Blossoms Digital Stamp Brush Set
Cardstock:  Whisper White
Designer Paper:  Greenhouse Gala
Stampin' Write Markers:  Blusing Bride, Wild Wasabi
Ink (for sponging):  Baja Breeze
Ribbon:  Baja Breeze Seam Binding

Happy Stampin'
Allison

Buy your seam binding ribbon here before it's gone....

Time for a new display

Every month I like to change the display in my stamp room so I can share my latest creations with my stamping friends.  This month it's a bright and bold display of Sew Suite!  I really love this line of products in the Occasions Mini Catalogue.  I will admit that I'm going to have to go on a bit of a buying frenzy so I have plenty of this paper and that adorable pompom trim in my stash when this mini catalogue is gone.  Speaking of gone, did you know that it's almost time for this mini catalogue to be gone and the Summer Mini is just around the corner?!  The Occasions Mini closes at the end of April!  Yikes, there is still SO much I want out of this little gem of a catalogue.  Convenient for me it's still Sale-a-bration so for every $60 I buy, I get something free in return!  Free stuff here I come!  That goes for you too ya know, so let's go shopping together!

Happy Shoppin'
Allison

Upcoming Classes - Build-a-Bear & Bloomin' Beautiful

Calling all Kids!!!

Build-a-Bear Dress-Up Class

When: Sunday, March 27th 10am-12noon
Where: My house, McKenzie Towne (Calgary)
Class Fee: $20

Grab your favourite adult (Mom, Dad, Grandparent, Aunt, Uncle, Neighbor) and come create this magnetic Build-a-Bear Dress Up tin!! We’ll use the Big Shot, magnet sheets, and fancy papers to make your bear the most stylish in town! For only $20 you can have a fun day of crafting with your favourite adult! You must be registered by Thursday, March 24th.

Bloomin' Beautiful Card Class

When: Sunday, April 3rd 2pm-4pm
Where: My house, McKenzie Towne (Calgary)
Class Fee Options:
• Option 1: $22 to come and make the projects
• Option 2: $32 Come make the projects and go home with the Blossom Petals Punch as well!
• Option 3: $54 Enjoy the class, make the projects and leave with the Build a Blossom Stamp Set (clear mount) AND the matching Blossom Petals Punch (there is no class fee for this one!)
You must register and pay for this clas by March 20th so I can order the punches and stamp sets.

Click picture to enlarge

Join me for an afternoon of creating to make these 4 beautiful cards and co-ordinating card caddy. This would make a fantastic gift, or make a great addition to your stash of cards to have on hand.

Please call or email me to register for all classes.
Allison

Busy Little Bee!!!!

Hi Everyone!

I'm here, and I'm busy!  Sorry for posting so late in the day, and I might as well say sorry in advance for any blog postings I miss in the next little while.  I'm busy making cards for my fundraising for Japan.  With the help of some FABULOUS friends, I've made over 100 cards and have the pieces ready to assemble another 100. 

We've raised over $1500 dollars so far!  And yes, that is A LOT of cards!  But it's worth every moment I spend making them.  The donations will mean so much to whomever receives them.  Once the nuclear situation is under control (and we are praying that happens very soon) we are going to ask my brother-in-law if he knows of a family, school, or hospital that was affected by the earthquake and tsunami who could use some financial assistance.  I know that there are so many people in need, it breaks my heart. 

I will make cards as long as the donations keep coming in, so if you would like to help the people of Japan, or would just like some pretty cards, please contact me and I will get working on your order.  Cards are $5 each, with all proceeds (the full $5) going to the relief effort in Japan.  You can read my original blog post about this fundraiser HERE.

Thank you for your support.  It really means the world to me.

Allison

Happy Birthday Cupcake

I took a look in my little plastic bins of cards this weekend and the 'birthday' section is VERY sparse.  I make LOTS of cards, I mean LOTS, but for some reason the birthday variety has been neglected a little bit lately I guess.  The only way to fix that is to get working, so here's a really simple birthday card for me to keep on hand to have at a moment's notice.  Phew...

I think that a little bling makes any card really beautiful, but this card had DOUBLE bling!  A rhinestone and dazzling diamonds glitter.  So pretty!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Bring on the Cake, Create a Cupcake
Cardstock:  Very Vanilla, Pear Pizzazz
Ribbon:  Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding
Embellishments:  Basic Rhinestones, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

A bit of an update on the Stamping for Japan Fundraiser:  $1235 raised so far!!!  I am so touched by the response.  A big thank you to everyone who has already donated!

Happy Stampin'
Allison

SHOP til you drop HERE

3 x 3 Sew Suite Notecard

I was sending some SU! goodies to a customer so I thought it was the perfect opportunity to use up some of the bits and pieces I had laying on my desk to make her a little notecard.  I REALLY like the patterns in the Sweet Stitches DSP, they're so adorable! 

The pincushion made with punches is super simple, but ultra cute too.

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Puns from the Past
Card Stock:  Daffodil Delight, Riding Hood Red, Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla
DSP:  Sweet Stitches
Ribbon:  1/8" Daffodil Delight Taffeta
Embellishments:  Vintage Trinkets

Enjoy the rest of your day.
Happy Stampin'
Allison

SHOP ONLINE 24/7 (only 18 days left of Sale-a-Bration!)

Stamping to Support Japan - Cards for $5 & Stampin' Up! Income to be Donated

Update!  July 2011:

My husband has just left for Japan with $1700 to donate!  Thank you so much for your support!  He and I are so thankful to have such wonderful people in our lives who are so kind and generous.  I look forward to sharing with you the details of the donation recipient in the near future!

The world woke up this morning to the shocking news of a massive and devastating earthquake that hit Japan.  If you're a regular reader of my blog, you may or may not know that my husband was born and raised in Japan and came to Canada only 10 years ago.  His entire family is still living in Japan.  We did receive a short email from his brother that he and his father are ok, but there is currently no news from other family or friends.  We are thinking about them all. 

Japan is such an amazing and beautiful country, and I have been lucky to travel there on two occasions, with plans to go again this summer.  It breaks my heart and worries me to see the images on the news right now.  I'm just one person, and plan to donate what I can to help, but I thought that I could organize to do more.  So that's where you come in. 

I've spent the last hour stamping these cards and I'd like to offer them for sale for $5 each, with ALL proceeds being donated to the relief effort in Japan.  I will pay for all supplies and shipping to you (Canada and US only), so the full $5 will be donated.  I will continue to make cards as the donations come in, for as long as they come in. 

I will also donate my instant income from all sales of Stampin' Up! products through my website for the next week (ending March 18th).  My income is 20% of all sales, so for every $100 you spend, $20 is donated.  It's also a great time to shop, as it's Sale-a-bration and there's lots of free goodies to be had with every $60 order.  PS, I am only able to sell Stampin' Up! suppies to Canadian residents.

I can't just sit here and do nothing, and stamping is my thing, so I hope that this small effort can generate some help for the Japanese people.  Please help in any way you can.  I look forward to stamping as many cards as possible! 

Contact me to order your cards, or go HERE to order Stampin' Up! products online.  Thank you for your help.

Allison Okamitsu

Ribbon Shares Hit the Mail & Next Round Begins

Great news!  If you signed up for the 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon share they've all been dropped at the post office and should be to you shortly!  Woo hoo!

If you didn't get in on the first round, not to worry, we can do it all again!  Just need 5 people to sign up!  Local pick-up (Calgary) is $35 and Canada wide delivery via Canada Post is $38.  Contact me to sign up and arrange payment.

1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon Share

$35 - for those who can pick up the share from my house in Calgary
$38 - for shipping (in Canada only)

Included in this share is 2 yards each of 11 colours of striped grosgrain ribbon, for a total of 22 yards. The colours in this style are as follows:

Daffodil Delight
Pumpkin Pie
Pretty in Pink
Real Red
Rich Razzleberry
Night of Navy
Marina Mist
Certainly Celery
Old Olive
Early Espresso
Basic Black

So why buy this particular style as a share? Well, first of all, to get all the colours of this style would cost over $170 if you had to buy them individually...yikes! And secondly, look how pretty it is!

For these cards I actually cut the ribbon in half and frayed the cut edge for a bit of a vintage look. Plus, using it this way you get twice the length of ribbon! Awesome value!

Here's the ribbon at it's full width.  So pretty!

Happy Stampin'
Allison

More Sew Suite

I'm addicted.  The Sew Suite products are taking over!  I hope you're enjoying my obsession.  Today's card is a real celebration of the Sweet Stitches DSP.  I think I used almost all of the patterns!

For this little collage I did some stamping on DSP and then cut the images out.  Oh, except the 'fashion pearls' piece, that's cut right from the DSP.  The dress forms are from the Chic Boutique stamp set and the pattern pieces are from none other than the Pattern Pieces stamp.

This adorable sentiment is also from the Chic Boutique stamp set.  It is such a great match for all the Sew Suite stuff. 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Chic Boutique, Pattern Pieces
Cardstock:  Early Espresso, Tempting Turquoise, Very Vanilla
DSP:  Sweet Stitches
Punches:  Decorative Label
Embellishments:  Basic Pearls, Vintage Trinkets, Sweet Stitches Big Buttons, 1/8" Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!
Happy Stampin'
Allison

Sew suite shopping done here

Pattern Pieces & Fun Flowers Die

The Sew Suite line of products from the Occasions Mini Catalogue is a super big hit with me, but I wanted to show you how you can change it up and make it not SO bright.  I like bright, but not everyone does. 

This flower is made with the Fun Flowers Die for the BIG SHOT.  This die is awesome!  Money well invested for sure!  I cut out some tissue paper, stamped it with the Pattern Pieces stamp, and then just stacked the layers one on top of another.  Easy!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Patern Pieces, Button Button, Puns from the Past
Cardstock:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Sahara Sand
Embellishments:  Neutrals Buttons, Basic Black Satin Ribbon
BIG SHOT:  Fun Flowers Die

Enjoy the rest of your day!  (Especially if you're in Calgary, it's actually sunny!!!!!)

Happy Stampin'
Allison

Shop for all things lovely and creative here

Pattern Pieces & Some Punching

A few weeks ago I was playing with the Sweet Stitches DSP and this card just sort of fell together.  Let me tell you, that ususally isn't the case with me.  I tend to agonize over every button, brad, or bauble. 

At Leadership there was a few fantastic presentations showcasing the Sew Suite line of products, and I remembered this card.

I really like how they used just a small part of the Pattern Pieces stamp to frame the sentiment, so of course I copied! ;)

I saw a really adorable card online with a pin cushion made of punches (which totally inspired mine), but since I made this card a few weeks ago, the 'favourites' on my computer have been cleaned out in the meantime. 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Pattern Pieces, Tiny Tags
Cardstock:  Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Rose Red, Very Vanilla
Designer Paper:  Sweet Stitches
Punches:  1 3/8" Circle, 1 1/4" Circle, Boho Blossoms, Eyelet Border, Scallop Edge Border, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border
Embellishments:  1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Vintage Trinkets (safety pin)

Happy Stampin'
Allison